What are the system requirements for the Arabic Proficiency Test (APT)?
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Headphones with Microphone
Teacher/Proctor/Administrators may need access to color printer, scanner if administering the writing section as handwritten.
What are the headphone requirements?
We strongly recommend using headphones that completely cover the ears, blocking out much of the surrounding sound, with built-in microphones. Smaller earbuds or foam headsets that just sit on top of the ear may negatively affect the sound quality.
What is the approximate time that it takes a student to complete the APT?
Each skill is assessed separately, and can be administered independently.
The productive skills (Writing and Speaking) must follow the corresponding receptive skills, since the test is computer-adaptive. (For example, the prompts delivered for writing are determined by the student’s reading score.) Here are the expected times:
Reading: 35-40 minutes
Writing: 20-25 minutes
Listening: 35-40 minutes
Speaking: 20-25 minutes
With the paper/pencil option for writing (see below), it will be most efficient to give the reading test on one day, and the writing test on a following day. This is recommended since the system will print out a unique sheet for each student, with appropriate writing prompts and a barcode to identify the student’s work once it is scanned and uploaded.
Our recommendation is to give the Reading test as session 1; Writing as session 2; Listening as session 3; and Speaking may be combined with Listening or administered as session 4.
How long can my responses be for a Writing prompt?
Each Writing section response is limited to 2500 characters (400-600 words).
How long can my responses be for a Speaking prompt?
Each Speaking section response is limited to three (3) minutes of recording time.
How many times can I re-record my speaking response?
For each Speaking section prompt, you have ONLY ONE chance to re-record your response, if needed. You also can add to your response ONLY ONE time, if needed.
What is the price of the APT test?
For pricing information or to make a purchase, please call our Account Management team at 1-888-731-7887 or email us at sales@avantassessment.com.
Is the price for a one-time-a-year assessment, or does it include more than one administration?
The price is for one administration of the test. If you wish to administer it more than once per year, we will be happy to work with you.
Do you have any tests for Arabic (either for native speakers or for Arabic as a foreign language) that are appropriate for elementary-age students?
The APT is available in three levels: Grades 3-5; Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12.
STAMP 4S for Arabic is available for Secondary or Tertiary (Grades 7 and above).
STAMP 4Se for Arabic is available for Secondary or Elementary (Grades 2-6)
Are test takers penalized for leaving blank responses, or should they respond to every prompt?
The system requires that the test taker enters at least one letter, number or space in the Writing section and at least 3 seconds of recording in the Speaking section in order to move to the next prompt.
If the test taker leaves the response blank, the test taker will not be able to move to the next prompt or complete the section.
If the test taker only enters one letter, number or space or only writes/speaks one target language word, the response will be rated as NR and that will affect the overall score for that section.
We encourage test takers to do their best and to submit as much language as possible for each prompt so that they can receive an accurate score.
Please refer to the Reporting Guide to see reasons for a Not-Ratable (NR) score.
How are the results reported?
Individual student reports and class reports are available in English. Arabic translations of the Benchmarks and Rubric Guide are available on our website.
When are the results available?
Reading and Listening scores are available as soon as the test taker completes those sections (refresh the page for updates).
Writing and Speaking scores are typically available from 7 to 10 business days after test completion. They may be available sooner, so check the test results screen periodically to determine the rating progress. During busy testing times (March-June), scoring may take longer. Please plan accordingly.
Would we need Arabic keyboards or some kind of keyboard overlay for assessing students in Arabic?
For information on loading an Arabic keyboard and using an on-screen keyboard see the Writing Input Guide.
If administering the Writing section as handwritten, you will not need to load keyboards as this part of the test will be paper and pen. Proctors will need to print the writing prompts for test takers.
Will the test work on Macs, PCs, and Chromebooks?
Yes, as long as there is a current browser and connection to the Internet.
Would we need to purchase a server or use an existing server we have, or is the entire test web-based?
The entire test is web-based. We host and deliver, as well as archive the results and reports for 24/7/365 access.
What is the difference between the "Arabic Proficiency Test" and the "Avant STAMP for Arabic Test"?
The APT is a monolingual test built for native Arabic speakers. The Avant STAMP test is an English-administered test for students studying Arabic as a foreign language. Please visit our website and view the different assessments listed under the “assessment” link.
Is Avant STAMP available for other languages?
Yes! We offer the Avant STAMP in 45 languages. See the list of available languages here.